Biologists say it is an adult fin whale. They estimate it was likely about 65 feet long when alive, but they don't know the exact size because more than half of the whale's body is missing.

"That's what makes it amazing. It's this huge with only half of the body," says one visitor, Jeff Fann.

Experts believe a ship may have hit the whale - there are signs of trauma and bruising on the whale's body along with red paint, likely from the bow of the ship.

"It almost leaves you speechless, because it's sad, you know, that such a beautiful creature is dead like this. But then it's like, wow, it's breathtaking actually,' says visitor Sina Jamison.

It's still unclear what's going to happen with the whale's remains.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is trying to find a school or museum that might be interested in the whale's skull. Otherwise, they'll work with the city of Burien to dispose of the carcass.

In the meantime, biologists say, ship strikes are a growing concern because of higher speeds and larger sizes of the ships.